Collected Podcast Episode 18: Shinyo
Towards the end of World War Two, Japan built and mobilised thousands of killer boats to defend its homeland and occupied territories from possible Allied invasion. In Episode 18 of Collected, Louise Maher discovers how one of these Shinyo suicide launches was captured by Australian troops in Borneo and used for joyrides after the war before finding a permanent home at the War Memorial.
Presented by: Louise Maher
Produced by: Louise Maher
Interviewed:
Melissa Cadden, Concept Developer – Peacekeeping, Humanitarian and East Timor galleries, Gallery Development Program
Dr Karl James, Head of Military History
Original music: Andy Heaney, Vice Like Grip
Coverage of an amenities picnic to Little Djodololo by troops and women of the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) and Australian Army Women's Medical Service (AAWMS) based at Morotai. Shows the embarkation on a small craft and the trip to the island. Scenes of the picnic on the island and the local natives. Arrival of and joy ride on a captured Japanese suicide speed boat. Various scenes of the return to Morotai. General shots of Wama airstrip showing the airstrip from the control tower. Close ups of Douglas C-47 Dakotas and Curtiss P-40 Kitty Hawk. General shots of AMF HQ Officers Club and Other Ranks (ORs) club at Morotai.
Macassar, Celebes, 1945-09. A Japanese suicide launch, Shinyo Improved Type 1, on a slipway in a cradle ready to be launched.
A Japanese Shinyo suicide launch which was captured by the crew of HMAS Deloraine, brought back to Australia and presented to the Australian War Memorial.
A Japanese suicide launch which was captured by the crew of HMAS Deloraine, brought back to Australia and presented to the Australian War Memorial. Six of the 24 captured boats were in operational readiness.
Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. September 1945. Able Seaman (AB) Les Coad of Ballarat, Vic; AB Ian Cox of South Yarra, Vic, and AB Kevin Sorrenson of Coorparoo, Qld, all RAN and members of the crew of HMAS Napier, inspecting a Japanese suicide launch (boat) surrendered in the Yokosuka Naval Base.
Yokosuka Naval Base, Japan. September 1945. Australian naval ratings from HMAS Napier inspecting a Japanese Shinyo suicide launch and a midget submarine alongside each other in the Yokosuka Naval Base.